Between 2003 and 2005, the U.S. Refugee Program (USRP) resettled more than 8,000 Liberian refugees in the United States. The USRP is also conducting a special resettlement effort with Liberian refugees identified as “double flight female heads of household” – vulnerable families headed by women who have fled persecution two or more times. The Liberian refugees coming to the U.S. now generally have a more rural background and have experienced war, flight and refugee camp life. Social service providers should consider these experiences as well as cultural differences between Liberia and the United States when working with Liberian refugees. The purpose of this paper is to assist social service providers by supplying background information and practice implications related to health, education, parenting, discipline, separated children, and sexuality. Additional resources on Liberian refugees and on refugee child welfare are provided throughout this paper.
